Hannes and Claudiu Rosso Pinot Noir NV

In South Pfalz, surrounded by the dense Palatinate Forest, Hannes Bergdoll and Claudiu Dumea creatively collaborate to produce stunning wines of immense drinkability and charm. The two met in Frankfurt, where Claudiu continues to run a wine bar called Espresso Espresso. A friendship blossomed, and when the two decided to try their hand at vinification, Hannes’ family offered a portion of their vines up for the worthy project.

From the municipality of Landau they grow native and international grapes like riesling, scheurebe, silvaner, müller-thurgau, gelber muskateller, huxel, weißburgunder, grauburgunder, chardonnay, spätburgunder, donfelder and blauer portugieser, and the team approaches winemaking from two equally important angles.

Pfalz, also known as the Palatinate, is one of Germany's largest wine regions in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It stretches from the south of Worms to the French border, nestled between the Rhine River and the Palatinate Forest, extending into the low-lying Haardt Mountains. This geographical setup creates a unique microclimate, making Pfalz one of Germany's warmest and driest wine regions.

Pfalz has a long and rich history in viticulture, dating back to Roman times. The region covers approximately 23,500 hectares of vineyards, making it the second-largest wine-producing area in Germany after Rheinhessen. The diverse soils, ranging from loam and loess to chalk and sandstone, contribute to the unique characteristics of the wines produced here.

The region is renowned for its Riesling, which accounts for about a quarter of the vineyard area. Riesling from Pfalz is known for its richness and ripeness, producing fuller-bodied wines compared to cooler regions like Mosel. Other notable white grape varieties include Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), Pinot Blanc (Weißburgunder), and Chardonnay.

Pfalz is also significant for red wine production, Germany's largest region. Dornfelder, a popular red grape variety, is widely grown here along with Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder), Portugieser, and other varieties. The red wines are known for their deep color and complexity, often undergoing malolactic fermentation and aging in oak barrels.

The Deutsche Weinstraße, or German Wine Route, runs through the heart of the Pfalz wine region, attracting many tourists yearly. Established in 1935, this route connects numerous wine towns and offers a scenic journey through vineyards and picturesque villages.